Lateral-spacing attachment for type-writing machines.



1. H. MOLONEY. I LATERAL SPACING ATTACHMTZNT FOR TYPEWRITING MACHINES. I

- APPLICATION man JULY 31, m4; I I 11,246,638. Patented Nov. 13, 19.17.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

I. H. MO LONEY. L'ATERAI. SPACING ATTACHMENT FOR TYPE WRITING MACHINES APPLICATION FILED .I ULY 31, I9I4.

Patented Nov. 13, 1917. I

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3- BEST AVA ll.ABLE COP UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE. I

JOHN H. MOLONEY, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

LATERAL-SPACING ATTACHMENT FOR TYPE-WRITING MACHlNES.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 13, 191 7.

Application filed July 31, 1914. Serial No. 854,295.

L '0 all whom it may. Concern.

cards.

My invention comprises means designedto limit the rotative movement of the platen to effect the desired placement or-position inggof the letter when commencing the super- 'scription, dating, &c.

While the improvements forming the subject of my invention have been applied to and are shown in connection with an L. C. Smith Bros. visible typewriting machine 0f =the L. C. Smith Bros. make, it will be understood, that with but slight modificati'ons, involving no change in the object, purpose or scope ofthe invention, they may be applied to typewriting machines of all other manufacturer-Sr v v These and other featuresof my invention are more fully described hereinafter, reference bein had to the accompanying drawings, in w iich:

Figure 1, is a perspective view of sufficient of a type-writing machine to illustrate the application of my improved mechanism thereto; 4 Fig. 2, is a plan view of my improved mechanism Figs. 3 and 4, are front and end elevations of the same, respectively;

shown inFig. 5, and

Fig. 5, is a view similar to Fig. 1', illustrating a modified structure within the scope of my invention;

Fig. 6, is a plan view of the structure -Figs-.'7, 8,-9, 10 and 11', are views illustrating details of my invention.

' Combined with the usual-shaft or spindle 1 of the platen 2, which is mounted in the usual carriage '(not shown), is a shaft extension 1", carrying a disk 3, of a special character, fixed to rotate therewith, which disk is notched at its edge as at 4, while the shaft extension carries a plurality of loose arms 5, 5 and 5 each havinga spring-controlled pivoted finger 6, 6* and 6", respectively; each of which fingers is arranged to be moved into and out of any one-of said notches, as may be desired. The arms, 5, 5

and 5 are each maintained from longitudinal movement on the shaft by means of a collar, 30 or other appropriatemeans, but

said arms are free to drop by gravity when the fingers are disengaged from the notches of the disk whereby unlimited rotation of the platen is permitted. The fingers 6 and 6 project beyond said disk 3 toward the platen and form stops to limit rotative movement of the platen; engaging with a member hereinafter. described, while the end of the finger 6 lies substantially flush with' the face of the disk toward the platen and serves as a visible guide for the operator. Thestop finger 6 limits the movement of the platen in the direction of the arrow a, after a duplicate (mimeographed) letter or other object to be written upon has been positioned thereon, in order that it may receive the date, and the superscription, address, or the like, in the proper positions, and the stop 6 limits the movement of the platen in the opposite direction, indicated by the arrow 11), after thesuperscription, salutation or other matter has been written.

,The stopseifected by the fingers 6 and 6 are at the limits of the movementdesired to be given to the platen and any letter there'- on; the letter being in position to receive the date when the stop 6 is in-action,and

in position to receive the salutation when the stop ti 'is in action. The arm 5 is also loose on the shaftextension 1 and is preferably disposed between the arms 5 and 5*. It carries the finger 6 which does not project beyond theinner surface of the disk 3 but forms a visible guide or indicator for the operator and is designed to indicate the point on the letter where the first line of the superscription is to be written.

Carried by the shaft 1"or shaft extension I l and disposed inside the disk 3, is'a noni'otating relatively fixed disk member 7 having a pair of arms 8 and 9 whereby it may be disposed in relatively fixed position with relatidn to the carriage of the machine and having a projection 10 at its peripheral edge for engagement by the stops 6 and 6 of the structure shown in Figs. 1, 2, 3 and 4;

' is then inserted in the machine for move sesr AVAlLABLE COP the stop 6 engaging the upper surface while the stop 6- engages the lower surface of the same. The-arm S is preterably\positioned with respect to the carriage by nieansof a set screw'll and lock nut 12, while the arm 9 may also engage a portion of the carriage, as indicated in the drawings.

In lieu of mounting a plurality of arms on the shaft extension 1, the disk may be of the character shown at 3 in Figs. 5 and 6, and carry directly a spring-controlled pivoted linger 6 forming a stop to limit movement of the platen inthe direction of the arrow 1); otherwise effected by the finger stop 6; the shaft extension 1' carrying a loose arm 5 with a stop finger 6; such fingers 6 and 6 having the same function as the fingers numbered 6 and 6 in the structure shown in Figs. 1, 2, 3 and 4.

The fingers 6-, 6 and (3 of the structure shown in igs. 1, 2,, 3 and t, bear the following relation: When the letter is to be inserted, the usual paper grips carried by,

the machine are released, permitting the letter-to be inserted and positioned at any point on the platen. For this purpose the platen is moved rearwardly on its axis in the direction of the arrow Z) until the stop 6 comes into engagement withthe under side of the projection 10 carried by the disk member 7 as shown in Fig. 1. The letter ment by the platen and the first-line of 7 writing properly positioned with respect to the scale bar and then the platen is moved forward, in the direction of the arrow.a so as to bring the finger guide 6 into contact with the ipper side of the projection 10.

The letter sheet will then be in proper position to receive the date. The platen is then rotatably moved a sufli'cient amount to bring the guide finger 6" opposite the upper side of the projection 10, when the letter sheet will be in proper position to receive the name portion of the superscription. The distance on the platen between the stops may be anything desired, and the notches of the disk correspond exactly with the positions of the platen as determined by the spaces between the ratchet teeth of the same.

In the use of the structure shown invFigs. 5 and 6, the fingers 6 and 6 contact with the frame of the carriage to limit the rotative movement of the platen.

A detail view of the "finger 6 or 6, partly in section, is shown in Fig. 9; a detail view of the finger. G, partly in section, is shown in Fig. 10, and a detail view of the finger 6, partly in section,is shown in Fig. 11. The fingers are arranged to be retained in their respective positions by suitable retain-' ing neans consisting of the balls 13 and springs 14.

Inorder to position the letter laterally with respect to the platen and the typer:

ten or otherwiseapplied matter on the ter, a stop ring or guide 15 may be men; on the platen, said stop ring being prov with a straight face 16 disposed at r angles to the platen and against which left edge of the letter sheet must be pla The distance from the stop ring repres springing it slightly apart, it may berea' adjusted in any suitable position on platen. Instead of springing it into pl however, the platen may be provided wiy 'threaded'portion 18 to receir'e a threa stop ring 15*,sh0wn in Fig.8. 2

scription is to occupy with respect to, rest of the sheet is, of course, readily dc mined by gaglng the first linejof the r The position the-first line of the 'ter on'the paper with respect to the uij scale bar (not shown) mounted on the riage of the machine. It is known, of cor} how many lines the subscription is to cupy,and with this knowledge the pivi finger 6 isthrown into a notch ot the di to represent oneend oftheliniit otthe tative movement "of the, platen; the

notches being'spaced in accordance with platen spacing, and the platen is then tui until the other end ofit-slimited moreme; determined and. the fin ger 6" is moved engagement with one o'tsaid notches, thereby the lnnit of 'I OtRtIVQ movemen said platen in both directions isffixed. lieu of using thefinger 0, the guide iii 6" may be employed; the operator wa ing its position when moving the plate-f5 bring the letter to position to commence a writing of the superscription'. The fir 6* may serve as a stop to position the line, and if desired either this finger or guide finger 6 maybe put out of act thefingers 6 and 6 being usable along the fingers 6 and 6", or the fingers 6 am as may be desired bythe operator; it b understood that the finger 6* is a guide not a stop.

In order to efi'ectstoppage of the carr and platen when moved longitudinally etlect desired lateral spacing of the port of the superscription. the extension 1 the platen shaft 1 may carry a pluralit fingers 20. go". and '21, 21". which are f ranged to contact with a relatively i stop adjustably mountedin'a bra to the otlieiaside of the projection 10 (or *theframe of the carriage),

with the plateiris then moved longitudinally to the proper initial position and the g The carriage is'then therewith. and when brought: to the proper" IBESTAVAILABLE COP 23 carried by the frame of the machine and held in place by a set screw 24; said bracket being slotted at 25 to permit the desired adjustment of said stop 22-. 'When the carriage is moved into position by the operator d before commencing a line of Writing, one

'of the fingers 20, 20 21, or 21*, in line with said stop 22, will engage the same and limit such movement.

These fingers 20,20, &c., are adjustable cate letter) is slipped into place with the platen moved back in direction of arrow 1) with stopG inengagement with the pro ection 10 (or the frame of the carriage) and with paper grips out of action. As before noted, the position of the first line of the Superscription is adjusted with respect to' after the paper' the scalebar, and then,

grips have been released to engage the paper,

the platen is rotated in direction of arrowa to bring the stop 6 (or 6") or guide 6 in contact or operative position with respect The carriage first line is written.

shifted for the second line; the platen being simultaneously rotated to position the letter to receive. sucii second line and then tl ie finger 20 on the shaft extension 1" will come into action; such finger being set 'so as to occupy a definite relation with respect to the second line of the superscripti'on, and upon longitudinal movement of the carriage it contacts with the fixed stop 22. This second line of the superscription is written, and

when this is completed the carriage is again shifted and the platen moved simultaneously position the second finger 20 comes into position to space the third line of the superscription at the proper point. and then when the carriage is shifted the third time the fingers 20 and 9O are clear and the carriage may be brought to a position in line with the name for the insertion of the salutation:

Dear Sir, Gentlemen or the like. Atthis positionjthe stop (3 is in'contactwith the projection 10 (or the frame of the carriage) and it is impossible to impart further rotative movement to the platen. The operator then releases the paper grips, withdraws the sheet. inserts a new one and pro-.

coeds as before. it 'illlic understood, of

course, that any number of fingers 20, 20,

&c., may be used, as desired, depending upon the number of lines-in the superscrip 7 tion, address and Salutation.

\Vhen addressing postal cards or envelops,

I may use a holder'26 carried by the platen, The holder is preferably provided with end portions 27 forming clips to engage and hold the edge of the card or envelop and the position of these clips is in definite relation.

to the stop formed by the finger 6 so that when the platenis moved in:the'direction of the arrow a and stopped by the finger G, or stopped by the operator, as indicated by the guide 6, the 'postal card or envelop" will 7 be in proper position to receive the first line of the address or name of the addressee.

\Vlien the carriage and platen. are shifted for the second line of the address, the lon 'gitudinal movement of the carriage will be halted by the finger 21 engaging the stop 22 at a'point, five, (more or, less, as desired,) letter spaces short of the com mencement of the-first line, and the stop2l will effect astoppage at. a'poi'nt, five, (more: or less) letter spaces short ofithe commence-= ment of't-he second line, and so on. It will be understoodthat this holder 2('i niay:be of any length. accommodating letter sheets, 7

cards, envelops and the like, and that it is carried by the platen so asto properlyposition theelement engaged thereby with respect to the fingers 6, 6 6; or 6,a's the case may be.

Theshaft etrtension l carrying the fingers 20,"'20 ','&c;; is scaled so asto agreewith the markings of the scale baroftheucarriage, In some instances. pairs of the fin gers maybe combined in'asingle element when the lateralspacing of the-lines of the superscription or address; is uniform. These'fingers 20, 20,"&c., are adjustable for any arrangement of spacing. and may be held in their adjusted positions by set 2 screws 29. g V I It will be understood, of course, that the stop mechanism controlling the. rotative movement of the platen may be released by. removing the several fingers, from engagement with thenotched disk or moving them v out of their projected position beyond the inner face of the latter. and that when this is done the platen is free to continuously rotate in the usual use of the typewriting machine. At the same'tinie, .tliestop 22 may be moved out of the "way so "that engagementof the same. by the fingers 20.20. 21 and 21 will be avoided.

Tclaini: I i 1. The combination, with the platen ofa typewriting machine, and a shaft in, axial alineinent tlierewitlnof a notched disk car 'ried'by said shaft and rotatingiherewith. the notches of said disk bearing an exactass-t AVAlLABLE COP relation to the line spacing positions of the platen, an arm on said shaft outside the disk and maintained from longitudinal movement on the, shaft and a finger pivotally mounted in the outer end of said arm having engagement with any one of said notches, said linger projecting beyond the face of the disk and arranged to contact with a part fixed with respect. to the frame of the carriage and forming a stop for limiting the rot-ative movement of the platen, said arm being freely rotatable on said shaft whereby it will drop by gravity when said finger is disengaged from the notches of the disk, to thereby permit the unlimited rotation of the platen.

2. The combination, in a typewriting machine, ofa platen,-a shaft therefor, a notched disk carried-by said shaft and rotating 2'0 therewith, an arm on the shaft maintained and a second finger pivotally mounted and against longitudinal movement thereon, a finger pivotally mounted in the end of said arm for engagement with said notches, said finger projecting :beyond the face of the disk and fol-min" a stop limiting the -rotative movement of the platen in one direction and being movable to a position to free it from engagement with said disk whereby the arm will drop by gravity and unlimited rotative movement of the platen is permitted,

'- projecting beyond the face of said disk and serving when in such position to limit the novement of the platen in the opposite direction, said second finger being movable out of the stop engaging position.

3. The combination, in a typewriting machine, of a platen, a shaft in axial alinement therewith, a notched disk carried by said shaft, and an arm loose on the shaft and maintained against longitudinal movement on said shaft, a finger pivotally connected to said arm and arranged to engage any one of the notches of the disk, said finger forming a stop for limiting the rotative movement of the platen in one direction, and said arm being permitted to drop by gravity when the finger is disengaged from the notch of the disk, whereby unlimited rota tion of the platen is permitted, anda second pivotally mounted finger serving to limit the rotative movement of the platen in the opposite direction, said second finger being movable to non-stopping position to permit the continuous rotation of the platen.

,4. The combination with a typewriting machine having a platen and a shaft in axial alinement therewith, of a notched disk carried by said shaft, a plurality of arms loose on the shaft and each maintained against movement lengthwise of said shaft, a finger pivotally connected to one of said arms and arranged for engagen'ient with any one of the notches of said disk, said finger projecting laterally beyond the disk and forming a stop for limiting the movement of the platen in one direction by engagement with,

an elementfixed with respect to theecarriage frame of the typewriting machine, and a by it may serve as a stop to limit the movement of the platen in the opposite direction by engagement with an element fi-Xed with respect to the carriage frame, said arms being free to drop by gravity when "their respective fingers are disengaged from the i notches of the disk whereby unlimited rotation of the platen is permitted.

The combination with a typewriting.

machine. of a platen, a shaft in axialfalinement and movable therewith, a notched disk carried by and rotatable with said shaft,

a plurality of-arms loosely mounted on the shaft and disposed at one side of said disk,

each of said arms being maintained against movement lengthwise of the shaft, and,

fingers pivotally connected to said arms and I arranged for engagement with the notches of the disk, certain of said fingers projecting beyond the, face of the disk and "forming stops or limiting the rotative movement of the platen in opposite directions, said arms being free to drop by gravity when their respective fingers are disengaged from the notches of the disk whereby unlimitedro tation of the )iaten is permitted.

G. The com mation, in atype" chine, of a carriage, a shaftca-rried thereby,

riting ma- 7 a notched disk carried by and rotatingwith said shaft, a plurality of arms loosely mounted on the shaft and maintained-from movement longitudinally thereof, fingers pivotally carried by said arms for engagement with the notches ,of said disk, said fingers forming stops for limiting the move- I ment of the platen in opposite directions,

said arms being free to drop by gravity when their respective fingers are disengaged I from the'notches of the disk whereby unlimited rotation of the platen is permitted,

ment of the shaft in both-directions.

7. The coinbiiiatiomin a typewriting ma chine. of a carriage, a shaftcarried thereby, a platen mounted on said shaft, anotched' disk carried by said shaftbeyondthe platen,

a plurality of arms loose on said shaft, "but maintained against movement lengthwise thereof, saidlarms being disposed adjacent a I the disk on the side beyond the platen, fingers pivotally mounted on each of said arms and movable into and out ofengage- -ment with the notches of the disk, said .B-ESTAVAILABLE fingers when in engagement with the disk projecting beyond the face of the same and forming movable abutments, said arms being free to drop by gravity when their respective fingers are disengaged from the notches of the disk whereby unlimited rotation of the platen is, permitted, a stop member disposed adjacent the notched disk and having a projection for engagement by said fingers to stop the rotative movement of the platen, and means for holding said stop member in fixed position with respect to the carriage. v In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification, in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

JOHN H. MOLONEY. Witnesses:

' MURRAY C. BOYER,

Jos. H. KLEIN. 

